Not sure Paul what to add, checked out your map for Sud Amerika, looks like you didn't ride Ruta 40 in Patagonia. That's a rough road and much like Russia and Mongolia gravel highways.

Ruta 40 would have given you a better idea of what to prepare for mechanically, mentally and physically but the fact that SA highways didn't killyou say much good about your paved road riding.

Did youdo much dirt in Alaska?

I have ridden South Amerika down and back and it was challanging but Russia and Mongolia are life threatening in ways that mimic the worst of SA. Much of my ride was dirt and gravel-7 time zones.

So it's much longer and the only way out is by train or plane if you don't ride your machine out.

Suspension is critical in Russia because the dirt is rough(potholes)and fast but more on that after you start to wear in your new ride and get closer.

I'd love to see you make it across on your KTM and though my knowledge of Russia is getting dated, I'll help you any way I can.

I used Horizons to establish Russian contacts who met me in Vladivostok...that was very helpfull when they were sober.
bill

i did Ushuaia northwards in 2011 all the way to prudhoe bay, click in my profile for the other ride report, loads of dirt in every country and state, but it would have been more fun on this KTM

who is the best suspension guy for these models?

thanks for the offer of Russia info, between you and Walter (Colebatch) i should be covered but that is literally years away, as i'll head west thru India/ Pakistan/ Middle East and Europe before i loop back to do Russia and Mongolia, west to east and then back east to west

how is her welding fixes that i suggested holding up? she needs all the structural support possible on that little bike at the pace she can move down a road, your ride sounded like fun.

Her bike is receiving some TLC from a mechanic in Santiago right now, where she and bubbletron are currently. I don't know what welding fixes you suggested, so I can't speak to those, but she's almost done with the trip. I think she's planning to be in Buenos Aires by mid-March.

Her bike is receiving some TLC from a mechanic in Santiago right now, where she and bubbletron are currently. I don't know what welding fixes you suggested, so I can't speak to those, but she's almost done with the trip. I think she's planning to be in Buenos Aires by mid-March.

it was a problem with her rear subframe and luggage mounts, she got a fix done when we were in Cartagena...that bike needs some lovin for sure, sounds like most of the guys that were on the stahlratte are about done, as for me back home and working on heading out again...this adventure life sucks

it was a problem with her rear subframe and luggage mounts, she got a fix done when we were in Cartagena...that bike needs some lovin for sure, sounds like most of the guys that were on the stahlratte are about done, as for me back home and working on heading out again...this adventure life sucks

She'll likely be shipping the bike here to Seattle at some point this year, maybe as early as late March. Hopefully I'll have a chance to tear the bike down and do a bit of work on her. Part of the reason for my lurking here -- see what generic bike issues might come in handy. And it'll give me ideas for finishing up my TE610

She'll likely be shipping the bike here to Seattle at some point this year, maybe as early as late March. Hopefully I'll have a chance to tear the bike down and do a bit of work on her. Part of the reason for my lurking here -- see what generic bike issues might come in handy. And it'll give me ideas for finishing up my TE610

get that thing cleaned up and sold and get her a drop seat dr650 she's dreaming about, hopefully you know about that?

get that thing cleaned up and sold and get her a drop seat dr650 she's dreaming about, hopefully you know about that?

She's dreaming about a lowered seat dr650? First I've heard of it. Damn it, why I am I the last to know

I'm guessing there will be another 650GS in her future, maybe one with a factory lowering kit? I'd talk her into the F800GS, but that bike is taller, and besides, with that much power, there's no way I'd ever catch her

I'll be keeping an eye out for an XT225 or XT250 for her for here, so we can go do some dirt riding together. That yellow piggie of hers doesn't do so well in dirt.

She's dreaming about a lowered seat dr650? First I've heard of it. Damn it, why I am I the last to know

I'm guessing there will be another 650GS in her future, maybe one with a factory lowering kit? I'd talk her into the F800GS, but that bike is taller, and besides, with that much power, there's no way I'd ever catch her

I'll be keeping an eye out for an XT225 or XT250 for her for here, so we can go do some dirt riding together. That yellow piggie of hers doesn't do so well in dirt.

I was just reading about the new f700gs in this months motorcyclist magazine. Worth a look - restricted f800 power plant, optional 30" seat height, etc